3D aquifer mapping

3D aquifer mapping – data an asset to community

Cutting edge scientific information is soon going to be available thanks to the 3D aquifer mapping project in the Hawke’s Bay.

The Hawke’s Bay Regional Council 3D aquifer mapping survey carried out by SkyTem Australia finished in February 2020.

The helicopter flew more than 8000 kilometres over the region mapping the Heretaunga Plains, Ruataniwha Plains and Otane and Poukawa Basins.

Preliminary processing of the data has been carried out by SkyTem Australia and shared with regional council and GNS scientists. The map shows the first peek of preliminary processed data at a depth of 20 metres.

The aquifer mapping project is part of a regional water security programme and the recent drought has highlighted the importance of having reliable access to water and information about it.

The council is leading and co-funding a package of four freshwater security initiatives, in partnership with the Government’s Provincial Growth Fund. These are the 3D Aquifer Mapping Project and whole region freshwater assessment which are underway, and investigations into a Heretaunga flow maintenance/water storage initiative.

Going forward the council is in the process of getting quotes for telescopic drilling to 300 metres and planning locations to undertake this drilling which is set to be completed by July 2021. This will be used to validate the SkyTem data. Investigations are also underway looking at the best options for making data and models readily accessible and have developed a prototype system for user-testing.

The 3D aquifer mapping aerial survey being carried out in central Hawke’s Bay.